A Recipe for a Good Life: The Social Impact of Senior Meals

Donna, an Eastside resident with a sharp wit and a youthful heart, recently celebrated her birthday, turning “39 again” – a playful nod to the late comedian Jack Benny. Her days are filled with activity, but at the heart of her daily routine is the simple act of sharing a meal with others.

Donna has always been a busy woman. From her years working on the railroad to raising her four children, she’s lived a full life. But as she’s gotten older, she’s found that staying active and connected is key to aging gracefully.

When someone commented that she never stays home, Donna responded, “I didn’t move up here to modify and die. I have to be busy seven days a week.”

Thankfully, she has neighborhood senior centers and the CICOA Meals & More program to keep her busy, connected and nourished.

Finding Community and Connection

Even while she was still working, Donna started seeking out the camaraderie and activities offered at her local senior center to combat boredom and loneliness. She’s attended a few centers for over a decade as she’s moved around the Indianapolis area, but now she’s a regular at Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFÉ), where she enjoys CICOA lunches and the company of friends. The congregate meal site offers her a daily opportunity to engage with her community, ensuring she never feels isolated or bored.

At CAFÉ, she’s also participating in CICOA’s “My Story: Drawing from Collage” art class, a creative outlet that sparks her imagination. The yoga and fitness classes help her work on balance and strength to keep active and prevent falls. She shares her love of reading with friends in her book club and loves a classic game of Bingo.

A Recipe for Good Health

Beyond the social benefits of the senior programs, CICOA Meals & More services also play a vital role in Donna’s health and well-being. The nutritious meals provide her with the energy she needs to keep up with her busy days. The Produce for Better Health program provides her with fresh fruits and vegetables twice a month, ensuring she gets the essential nutrients she needs and maintains a healthy weight and blood pressure.

Cooking Up a Legacy

Donna recognizes the importance of food as a point of connection in her family, too. She remembers a time when she cooked a Sunday dinner of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, corn cakes and green vegetables for her older grandkids. She taught her son how to cook when he was younger, and she made a point to give her grandchildren opportunities to cook meals independently.

“When you get grown, you’re gonna have to cook,” she told her granddaughter. “Now she’s in the military, and she told me ‘I’m glad you made me cook.’”

Your Gift Brings Us All Together at the Table

Donna’s story is a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a powerful impact. By providing nutritious meals and opportunities for social interaction, we can help seniors like Donna live healthier, happier lives.

This holiday season, consider making your best gift to support CICOA’s senior nutrition programs. Your generosity will help us continue to provide essential meals and services to seniors in need. Together, we can nourish bodies, minds and spirits.